Harare Sewage Crisis Deepens, Raising Fears of Cholera Outbreak in High-Density Suburbs

HARARE – The City of Harare is facing mounting pressure as an escalating sewage crisis threatens to trigger a potential cholera outbreak in several high-density suburbs, with residents reporting prolonged exposure to raw sewage and deteriorating sanitation conditions. Communities in Glen View, Kambuzuma, Mufakose, and Mbare say burst sewer systems have gone unattended for weeks, with some blockages reportedly unresolved for up to three weeks.

The crisis is most acute in Glen View, where the Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) says conditions have reached critical levels. CHRA director Reuben Akili warned that residents are now facing serious health risks due to the local authority’s slow response.

“We are worried about the lack of responsiveness of the local authority in addressing sewer bursts in Glen View,” he said.

Residents report that overflowing sewage has flooded streets and residential yards, with some households unable to use their toilets.

“We are now forced to find alternatives because the system is no longer working,” said a Glen View resident who requested anonymity. “Children are playing near contaminated water, and it’s dangerous.”

Civic groups say the worsening situation has pushed some households into unsafe sanitation practices, including open defecation, heightening the risk of disease outbreaks. The Harare Residents Trust (HRT) described the crisis as a result of systemic infrastructure failure and long-term neglect. HRT director Precious Shumba said the city’s ageing sewer systems are no longer able to cope with population growth.

“Decades-old infrastructure has not been upgraded to meet current demand, and the situation is being worsened by unplanned urban expansion,” he said.

Public health experts warn that the continued exposure to untreated sewage could trigger a cholera outbreak if urgent intervention is not undertaken. Zimbabwe has a history of cholera epidemics linked to water and sanitation failures, including the devastating 2008–2009 Zimbabwe cholera outbreak, which resulted in thousands of deaths, with Harare at the epicentre. Dr Nyasha Moyo, a public health specialist, said the current conditions mirror early warning signs of previous outbreaks.

“When sewer systems collapse, the risk of water contamination increases significantly. Without rapid response, this can quickly escalate into a public health emergency,” she said.

The City of Harare has acknowledged the crisis, with spokesperson Stanley Gama confirming that technical teams have been deployed to affected areas. However, he urged residents to avoid dumping waste into sewer systems.

“Blockages are being worsened by improper disposal of litter into sewer lines,” Gama said.

Despite the city’s response, residents and advocacy groups say efforts remain inadequate given the scale of the crisis. Urban planning expert Engineer Tawanda Zhou said immediate and long-term measures are required.

“The city needs emergency repairs, but also a complete overhaul of its sewer infrastructure. Without that, these crises will keep recurring,” he said.

As pressure mounts, residents warn that unless decisive action is taken, Harare could be on the brink of another major public health disaster.

Harare sewage crisis